Sexual Violence in Humanitarian Settings: Nigeria, Yemen and Haiti

This project aims to increase the ability of humanitarian actors to identify and respond to the needs and rights of victims of sexual violence. It also aims to improve the availability of services for sexual violence survivors.

The study will generate evidence, identify good practices and disseminate lessons learnt about sexual violence in six different humanitarian settings across South Yemen, Northern Nigeria and Haiti. This project is supported by funding from the European Union.

Sexual and gender-based violence is one of the greatest human rights and public health challenges faced during humanitarian emergencies. Women and girls are the most common survivors of sexual violence. However, sexual violence against men and boys remains an under-reported reality.

While sexual violence is present in all societies, it is usually exacerbated by conflict or natural disasters. The breakdown of law and order during such crises means that perpetrators often abuse with impunity. And women and girls often don’t report sexual violence committed by community members due to loyalty concerns and social pressures. Reliable data about the impact of sexual violence in humanitarian situations is therefore scare.